Healthcare for the elderly will only remain affordable if people save up more money to pay for their care in old age and if children take more responsibility for their parents, the national health council RVZ says in new recommendations.

Care of the frail elderly who cannot organise their own provisions is increasingly under pressure as the population ages and people live longer in poor health or with chronic conditions, the council says.
In addition, services are becoming more expensive and there is a looming shortage of staff, the council says in its new advisory report for the government.
Therefore, the RVZ recommends limiting basic care entitlement to serious problems and illness. People should be prepared to pay more or to turn to friends and family to help deal with more minor problems, the council says.
Financially
This means people should save up money to pay for help with the problems of old age, allowing the collective healthcare sector to focus on people who cannot look after themselves.
According to news agency ANP, the council also recommends people be required to sign a declaration at the age of 60, outlining how they envisage their care in later years and outlining how they wish to pay for this.
Earlier this year, the health insurance council published similar recommendations, RTL news says.